Along the way, we will become familiar with the relevant law. But we are interested in the policy underlying these laws. So we will sometimes ask whether some of the prohibited activities should not be crimes (has the law over-reached?). On the other hand, we will look at some behavior that is legal, but is arguably so corrupt and socially harmful that perhaps it ought to be reined in; and, if so, how? – by new criminal laws, or regulations, or by some other kind of control? What criteria should guide legal policymakers in making these judgments?

In addition, we will consider some psychological research on aspects of fraud and corruption in an effort to better understand why they happen, why they happen so often, as well as what inhibits such behavior – for the purpose of trying to think innovatively about how the law might be altered to more effectively reduce such activity.

After our broad exploration of fraud and corruption (a wide range of questionable activities, various laws, informed by psychology and policy debates), student projects (leading to seminar papers) will provide the opportunity to dig more deeply into selected aspects of our subject that are of interest to seminar members. These more in-depth efforts can go in any number of directions, for example: Look more deeply into an area of fraud or corruption (e.g., fraud in science) to better understand the nature and impact of the problem, what is done about it, and how it might be controlled better. Analyze a law, describing and evaluating its scope, appropriateness, operation, and effectiveness. Review a large or famous or particularly important problem area or instance, describing its nature, its history, the legal response (or lack of response), outcomes, and lessons to be drawn. Students’ projects and drafts, and what we can learn from them, will become the focus of the final weeks of the course.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 2
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: Yes*
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes*
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Note: Only one of the above listed requirements can be fulfilled with this course.
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: Yes
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Limited Enrollment Number: 12
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Yes, Paper
Participation Points: 25% of grade
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
Teaching Method: In Person

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.